Street Race Kills Truck Driver and Two Teens

by Jana Ritter - Published: 2/29/2016

A string of weather related chain reaction crashes have been occurring throughout the U.S. recently, but it was the stupidity of street racers that caused a fatal multi-vehicle crash in California over the weekend. Three people were killed including a UPS truck driver who was simply doing his job and two teenagers who were on their way home from Disneyland. While one of the street racers has been arrested, authorities are still searching for second culprit who fled the scene of the crash.

                                                              

The incident occurred early Saturday morning just after midnight on the 5 freeway in the Commerce area of Los Angeles. According to the California Highway Patrol, a Dodge Challenger and a Dodge Charger were racing in the southbound lanes near the Washington Boulevard exit when one of them lost control and hit a UPS big-rig. The impact caused the truck driver to crash into the center divider and go airborne. The UPS truck then clipped the top of a northbound Nissan Sentra before landing on top of a Ford Explorer and then exploding into flames. Debris from the collision struck at least two other vehicles, officials said.

                                                             

Tragically the UPS truck driver, Scott Treadway, died at the scene along with two teens who were riding in the back seat of the Nissan, identified as 19-year-old Michelle Littlefield and 18-year-old Brian Lewandowski. The driver of the Nissan, 21-year-old Tony Miramontes, survived the crash but has been in a coma since the incident. Brian Lewandowski was the son of a lieutenant in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and his family shared their grief with the media. "Brian was an incredible young man and every parent's dream for a son. We are absolutely devastated by our loss," the family said. "Our hearts go out to the other victims and their families and our prayers are for the survivors' recovery. We are very thankful for the love and support of family and friends throughout this time." Teamster Local 396 also made a public statement about the fallen driver who had worked at UPS for over 30 years. "Scott Treadway was admired and loved by his friends and co-workers at UPS,” they said.

                                                             

The driver of the Dodge Challenger, 35-year-old Dealio Lockhart, was arrested at the scene of the crash and even admitted to authorities that he had been street racing. He is facing three felony counts of vehicular manslaughter and authorities are continuing to search for the other driver of the dark colored Dodge Charger. "You got to do the right thing, turn yourself in," CHP Officer Charles Chu told the driver via the media. "There are plenty of families out there hurting because of this person's actions."

Comments: